If you are looking to do a home renovation or upgrade that involves a new driveway or other paved areas, you likely have a lot of driveway renovation ideas in mind already. Taking those ideas and making them a reality can be a challenge though, which is why working with a local paving expert can make the entire process a lot simpler and easier. The local experts in your area have the skills and experience necessary to make home paving designs simple and easy, no matter how big or small your paving area will end up being.
Getting professional asphalt sealcoating services is important because it will help ensure your final results are as stunning as you imagined. The pros will also have access to the materials and tools needed to get the job done right the first time. So, if you have an idea for a driveway pavement design you want to use for your next renovation project, or you are interested in learning more about advanced options such as driveway tiles design, contact your local paving expert today. Let them walk you through the process and let them show you how easy it can be to get a stunning driveway that is the talk of the neighborhood!
In a lot of ways, your driveway is the gateway to your home. It’s often one of if not the first thing passersby see. Even if it’s overshadowed by an elaborate walkway or landscaped front yard, your driveway is guaranteed to make a statement about your home. Whether you choose a concrete driveway or pave it with asphalt, if you make a straight shot to the garage doors or meander around a manicured front yard, the design you choose has the potential to greatly affect your home’s curb appeal – – for good or bad.
So how do you design the right driveway for your home? By following these four steps:
- Determine the right size and layout
Step one in planning a driveway is determining your driveway needs and fitting them to the layout of your property. How many cars need to fit on your driveway? A two-car driveway, on average, should be between 15 and 18 feet in width. For a one-car driveway, you’re looking at eight to nine feet in width. It’s not a bad idea to plan for more room than you think you’ll need, as the minimum width to fit a car doesn’t leave much space for opening doors and walking between parked vehicles. Think about leaving two feet of space between your driveway and any planters or pilasters to ensure a car door can be comfortably swung open.
Similarly, the layout will be largely determined by how your home is situated on your lot. If your garage is a straight shot from the road, it’ll be easy to construct a drive that connects the two. If your garage doesn’t face the street, however, you may need to plan for curves or a detour around the back of the house. - Design around your property’s terrain
Just as the layout of your garage relative to the street will determine the path of your driveway, the terrain of your property may affect your driveway’s path. It may be prudent to avoid steep slopes or winding it beneath a cluster of trees. For proper draining, however, your pavement should slope at a minimum one-fourth inch per foot. - Choose your shape
The shape of your driveway will again hark back to the layout of your home and landscape. If your garage is facing the street and not set too far back, a straight driveway is likely your best option. Keeping it short and simple will allow your landscape and home to take center stage.
It gets a bit more complicated for homes whose garages are not right off the road, however. A long, straight driveway can create a grand-estate feel to your home. However, backing out of long driveways can be tricky. You may want to build turnaround areas or a circular driveway to avoid needing to back out.
If your yard isn’t large enough to provide for a circular drive with a separate entrance and exit, you could elect for a teardrop shape. With a teardrop, you only have one entry and exit point but still retain the benefits of a circular drive.
When the garage doesn’t face the street or is at the back of the house, you’ll be best off with a curving drive. Likewise if you have a property with a lot of trees or landscaping design features. - Select your materials
The most important aspect of your driveway after its shape is the material you use to pave it. Concrete and asphalt driveways are two of the most popular choices because of their cost-effectiveness. In addition to the lower installation cost, asphalt and concrete have a lower maintenance requirement and longer lifespan than more elaborate materials. A properly installed and maintained concrete driveway can last between 25 and 50 years.
When thinking about aesthetics, asphalt and concrete driveways don’t usually come to mind first, but each offers more design options than you may think. They can be stamped and colored to look like other materials like brick or stone. Concrete driveways, for instance, are available in over 250 different hues and shades. Brick and stone are two other common choices.
A well-thought-out driveway design can upscale your home. Follow these four easy steps to design the driveway your home deserves. It’s as easy as one, two, three, four.